The Coronavirus Pandemic has spread across a large number of countries, with a variety of guidelines having been put in place. In those countries where the population has not been told to fully self-isolate then golf can provide health enhancing physical activity and safe social interaction in a low risk environment.

Any players with any symptoms of COVID-19, should not play.

Any players from a household with someone with any symptoms of COVID-19 should not play,

Any players without symptoms of COVID-19 is currently free to play following these measures, in order to reduce the risk of transferring the virus to others:

• Book online, so reducing contacts in and around the Clubhouse
• Change shoes in the car park and avoid the Clubhouse, or changing areas, whenever possible
• Use social distancing (2metre rule) on the putting green
• Meet on the first tee with modified greetings at a distance
• Insist on social distancing (2 metres rule) on tees, greens and throughout the rounds
• Golf buggies should only be used by single individuals and cleaned afterwards
• Golfers should only pick their own ball up
• Handle your own scorecard only
• Do not use public drinking fonts and ball cleaners, bring own refreshments, towels and ball cleaners if needed.
• Leave the flag in place while putting
• Sort out the sand in the bunker with a club (or your own rake!)
• Do not use airlines for cleaning shoes or equipment following the round
• Players should use hand sanitiser on the way round and at the end
• No handshakes on 18th green (do not hand over money either??)
• Avoid the Clubhouse, whenever possible
• Finish and go home!

Of course, for all those who are self-isolating as a result of contact with an infected person or in families who are self-isolating, it would not be appropriate to visit a club and play golf at this time.

Nevertheless, playing shots in your own garden and putting in the living room will encourage people to reduce the sitting time which we know is an independent risk factor and needs addressing.

Message to Golf Clubs and Management

• Organise online booking to reduce congregation around the Clubhouse
• Allow shoes to be changed in the car park
• Follow general hygiene advice and e.g. make hand sanitisers available in the clubhouse
• Golf buggies should be used by single individuals and cleaned afterwards
• Take drinking fonts and ball cleaners out of play.
• Close air pressure cleaners for cleaning shoes following the round

Message to Players

• Book online so less congregation around the Clubhouse
• Change shoes in the car park and avoid the Clubhouse, whenever possible
• Meet on the first tee with modified greetings at a distance
• Insist on social distancing (2 metres rule) on tees, greens and throughout the rounds
• Golf buggies should be used by single individuals and cleaned afterwards
• Golfers should only pick their own ball up
• Handle your own scorecard only
• Leave the flag in place while putting
• Sort out the sand in the bunker with clubs or own rake
• Do not use air pressure cleaners for cleaning shoes following the round
• Hand sanitise on the way round and at the end
• Avoid the Clubhouse, whenever possible
• Finish and go home!

Message to Policy Makers

• Golf is a health enhancing physical activity, especially in the older population
• Golf facilities can provide a safe environment for players and staff
• Clubhouse use can be avoided

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Up to date information can be received from:

World Health Organization, Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

EU ADVICE:

• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control National information resources for the public by EU Country – ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/sources-updated

UK ADVICE:

• NHS advice – nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
• Guidance for employers and businesses – gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

US ADVICE:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

For more information in countries not listed above then more information will be available on your government’s own Coronavirus COVID-19 guideline websites.

Thank you to the Senior Public Health Advisors in the UK and Golf & Health Project Director, Dr Roger Hawkes, for their assistance in preparing this guidance.